time and distance, but by manners, character and condition. Hence there arises a necessity for human learning and research, in order to understand and explain the contents of God's word. To secure the appropriation of some portion of time to the acquisition of knowledge-to gather together the stores of history and philosophy, and apply them to the critical study of the Bible, I regard as an essential part of a Minister's duty, and one great object for which a separate ministry is set apart. In like manner do I think it obligatory upon him not to hide the light that is in him, but to impart to his people, and more especially to the young, the knowledge which he may acquire, and the conclusions to which his investigations conduct him; that they may read the volume of holy writ with increased interest and intelligence, and that their minds may be opened to enlarged views of Christian truth. In these inquiries and instructions he requires, and can receive, no aid from the authority of any man, or any church. His most valuable guides are his own mind, and his own conscience; and his most valuable privilege in the use of these, is his unquestionable right of private judgment. Whether he study, or whether he teach, let him stand fast in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made him free.

Such is a brief summary of the objects which, as a Christian Minister, I propose to accomplish. I pray that I may pursue them in the spirit of charity towards all men, and under a prevailing sense of accountability to the great Searcher of hearts. Full well do I know that I must review hereafter, in the unveiled presence of God, the ministry on which I have now entered; and that I must then meet those who surround me now, and whose spiritual interests I bind myself to serve. That no one may then appear to reproach me with unfaithfulness-that there may be no wanderer from the fold of Christ, whom my neglect may have caused to stray, is the earnest and solemn desire which I now profess before God and my brethren.

(The Moderator, the Rev. Philip Taylor, having consulted the Ministers, declared their unanimous approbation of Mr. Martineau's sentiments, and their readiness to set him apart to the work of the Ministry amongst this Christian people, by prayer, and the laying on of the hands of the Presbytery.)

ORDINATION PRAYER,

BY THE

REV. PHILIP TAYLOR.

O THOU Supreme Fountain of life, perfection, and happiness ! we whom thou hast created by thy power, preserved by thy goodness, and redeemed by thy grace in Jesus Christ, would now humbly bow before thy throne, to offer unto thee our united tribute of religious adoration. From heaven, the habitation of thy holiness, we beseech thee, O God, to behold us with an eye of mercy, and graciously to accept our sincere though imperfect service.

We thankfully acknowledge thy goodness in making us capable of pious communion with thee the Father of our spirits, and of performing, under thy gracious assistance, those important duties which thou the Lord our God requirest of us. Blessed be thy name for the ample means which thy rich bounty hath provided for our advancement in religious knowledge and virtuous obedience. We thank thee for all those recorded dispensations of thy grace and mercy, with which thou hast favoured the children of men : and exceedingly do we rejoice in the gift of the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ, which is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth. We are grateful for the appointed social ser vices of thy house of prayer, and for all the institutions of our most holy religion. Praised be thy name, who, in various ages of the Christian Church, hast raised up a succession of diligent and wellinstructed Pastors, faithfully to interpret the written oracles of heavenly wisdom, and shew the true way to everlasting salvation. And O let the divine light of thy countenance still shine on all communities of Christian worshippers. Send forth able and upright labourers into thy vineyard, workmen who need not to be ashamed, rightly dividing and skilfully dispensing the word of truth.

We devoutly pray that the choicest influences of thy Holy Spirit may descend on this thy servant, (Here the Ministers laid on their hands) now before thee, who devotes himself, and is, in the solemnities of this day, set apart to the sacred office of the Christian ministry. O Thou from whom

D.

all wisdom cometh, and with whom it for ever dwelleth, grant him liberally of those spiritual gifts and graces, which no human power can bestow, and which thou alone, the Author of all perfection, art able to impart. Affect his mind with a commanding sense of the importance of those sacred duties, to which he is called, as a minister of Jesus Christ. Give him, we entreat thee, health of body and activity of mind, to pursue with ease and success his private studies and his public labours. Devoted to the cause of pure and undefiled religion, may he diligently search the holy Scriptures; and so impressively communicate the truth as it is in Jesus, that it may gain a vital access to every heart, and be abundantly glorified in the lives of all that hear it. May thy servant feed the flock committed to his care, not by constraint, but willingly-not as a lord and ruler over their faith, but as a helper of their joy; and, in their spiritual improvement, may he always find his own best and purest satisfaction. Never may he teach for doctrines the commandments of men; but honestly interpreting the oracles of sacred truth, may he speak, not as pleasing men, but God who trieth the heart. May he be strong in the grace which is in Jesus Christ; and, if need be, endure hardness as a good soldier under the Captain of our salvation. Let his willing labours of love demonstrate that the substantial edification of his flock, and not popular applause or worldly emolument, is the grand object of his pursuit. In his own life and conversation, may thy servant be careful to shew a steady and attractive example of faith, piety, meekness, charity, and every Christian virtue. And O, may all his well-devised and earnest endeavours to promote the glorious cause of Gospel liberty, righteousness and truth, especially among the rising generation, be crowned with thy most efficacious blessing. As he advanceth to maturer years, may he increase in usefulness, and rise in the esteem of all with whom he holds religious communion. While faithfully discharging the sacred duties of his office, may he enjoy that sweet peace of mind, that satisfying hope and confidence in thee, which passeth all understanding; and, in the awful day of final judgment, may it be his happy lot to hear from his great Lord and Master that joyful declaration, "Well done, good and faithful servant;" and to receive at his hand a crown of heavenly glory, which shall never pass away.

Now unto thee, the one living and true God, supreme over allthe God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, be ascribed through him, by all the churches, praise, glory and honour, world without end. Amen.

(The Moderator (having concluded the Ordination Prayer) presented to Mr. Martineau the right hand of fellowship: the same was done by each of the other Ministers present, and by a lay representative of the Congregation.)

CHARGE

то THE

REV. JAMES MARTINEAU,

AND THE

CONGREGATION OF EUSTACE-STREET MEETING-HOUSE,

BY

WILLIAM HAMILTON DRUMMOND, D.D.

“ Iron sharpèneth iron; so a man sharpeneth the countenance of his friend.”

MR. MARTINEAU, MY DEAR FRIEND AND BROTHER,

You have, this day, been solemnly ordained, according to the custom of the primitive Apostolic Church, by the laying on of hands, and by prayer, to be one of the Pastors of this Congregation. To your care, under Providence, is committed the spiritual guidance of a respectable society of Christians, who have made you the object of their voluntary choice. You have declared your ready acquiescence in their wishes, and your willingness to undertake the duties of the situation to which you have been invited and ordained. On every appointment, amongst us, to an office of such sacred responsibility, it is customary for one of the brethren to address a word of exhortation both to the new Pastor, and to his people ;-to the former, that he may "take heed to the ministry which he has received of the Lord, that he may fulfil it;"—and to the latter, that they may listen with a friendly ear to his instructions, and heartily co-operate in promoting their common edification. This task having devolved upon me, I beg to be heard with indulgence, as one impressed with a deep sense of the importance of the sentiments which he is about to express, who can have

no object but to advance the interests of genuine Christianity, and to see you, my esteemed friend, sustaining the part you have adopted with exemplary fidelity, and "adorning the doctrine of our Saviour in all things."

You have no doubt frequently reflected on the value and dignity of the ministerial character-on its duties, obligations, responsibility and rewards. You have felt that inasmuch as mind is more estimable than matter, so is that profession which has the concerns of the immortal soul for its province, more highly to be esteemed than those whose highest views are within the confines of time, and the boundaries of the earth. Secular pursuits have for their loftiest aspirings transient honours and unsatisfactory enjoyments-" bags that wax old," and "the meat that perisheth." The views of religion are more exalted: she looks for the permanent peace of the soul-the approving smile of heaven-the imperishable joys of eternity. Religion is, therefore, justly considered as the most noble of professions-of all attainments the most valuable-of all treasures the most precious. Religion holds the chain which connects earth to heaven. She comes from above with revelations of truth, and messages of grace, and promises of pardon, and invitations to felicity-with peace and joy, and glad tidings of salvation to man;-and she wafts back to heaven the praise, the gratitude, and the homage of pious, affectionate hearts. Religion is philosophy beautified and sublimed, and enlightened by the Spirit of God. It purifies and etherealizes the soul of man to commune with the skies. It initiates us into a knowledge of the ways of Providence; teaches the true science of life; turns aside the terrors of death; enrols us among the heirs of immortality; and opens to our contemplation and our hopes, worlds of bliss and glory beyond the grave.

The character of the professor should correspond to that of the profession; and hence we are exhorted to "walk worthy of the vocation wherewith we are called." In entering on the duties of a vocation so arduous, we are naturally prompted to ask, "Who is sufficient for these things?" And we may answer, None, assuredly, by his own unassisted efforts none without the devotion of the heart and understanding to the taskx-none without diligent study-none, above all, without that grace and favour of the Almighty, which are to be attained only by the fervent aspirations of a heart imbued by the Spirit of prayer. You will, therefore, commence your pious labours by devout prayer to that eternal Spirit, who can enrich with all utterance and knowledge, and sends out his Seraphim with the hallowed fire of his altar, to touch and purify the lips of whom he pleases." *** In imitation of the blessed Saviour, who

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* Milton.